Kampala
Discover Kampala
Kampala, the City of Seven Hills, is the capital city of Uganda and is, by a very large margin, the largest city in the country. Secondary to it is Jinja to the east and Entebbe to the south. Kampala is in the south central part of Uganda, near the northern shores of Lake Victoria. Kampala, with a population of approximately 1.7 million, and 6.7 million in the metro area (2019), is by far the largest city in Uganda. Although a smaller city with less suburban sprawl than Nairobi or Lagos, the traffic jams and pollution can be every bit as bad. If you are travelling around the city, plan your days carefully to avoid spending many hours in the city traffic.
What to Experience in Kampala
Taste of Kampala...
There are a number of dining options in Kampala ranging from the cheap and local to the very fancy (and very expensive). Everywhere you go you'll see signs for little hole-in-the-wall restaurants (including some called "pork joints"). Most of these places don't have menus, so you'll have to ask what's available. Common options include meat (usually beef), rice, beans, Matoke (steamed green bananas, served mashed). Common dishes that can be found in most of the city restaurants and in the country side are fish and chips, and chicken and chips. These meals vary in servings and will cost between USh 4500-9000. Be sure to ask the price ahead of time so that you don't get surprised later on. Prices are typically USh 500 per item, but can vary. Sodas and bottled water will cost more too. Matoke with groundnut sauce can be delicious! For a street snack, the famous "Rolex" is very enjoyable. It is made out of a chapati (kind of a pancake) wrapped around an omelette, with cabbage and tomatoes. Expect to pay USh 700-1000. Other street food includes roast chicken, goat and beef. This is usually served with chips or a salad or both. Pricing is per piece USh 2000-4500. If you are looking for something healthier but still want to enjoy the experience of roadside eating, the best bargain is with roasted corn or maize. The white maize is slow roasted on a charcoal grill and is available for USh 500-600 per cob. Freshness is guaranteed as maize is a common plant found throughout Uganda.
Climate
A facet of Kampala's weather is that it features two annual wetter seasons. While the city does not have a true dry season month, it experiences heavier precipitation from August to December and from February to June. However, it is between February and June that Kampala sees substantially heavier rainfall per month, with April typically seeing the heaviest amount of precipitation at an average of around 169 millimetres (6.7 in) of rain. The Kasubi Tombs, the site of the burial grounds for four kabakas (kings of Buganda), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site partially damaged by fire in 2010. When coming to Kampala by air, you will actually arrive in the city of Entebbe, 35 km (22 mi) southwest of Kampala. Discussions on improving the railway service within Uganda has dragged on for years, with the massive project to build a new semi-high speed railway from neighbouring Kenya stalled. However as of 2024 some progress on renovating the 100-year-old metre-gauge network has been made.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsWhen coming to Kampala by air, you will actually arrive in the city of Entebbe, 35 km (22 mi) southwest of Kampala. Discussions on improving the railway service within Uganda has dragged on for years, with the massive project to build a new semi-high speed railway from neighbouring Kenya stalled. However as of 2024 some progress on renovating the 100-year-old metre-gauge network has been made. Passenger services are still limited to commuter trains from Mukono via Namanve, in the eastern suburbs of Kampala, and from Port Bell. The national operator Uganda Railways Corporation has promised to launch intercity trains, but nothing has materialized so far. There are three methods of public transport: boda-bodas, matatu and special hires. The fastest and most dangerous method is the boda-boda: motorcycles that you see all over the city. You won't be in Kampala long before being propositioned by a boda driver. If you're not interested, a simple 'no' will get them to leave you alone....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
There are three methods of public transport: boda-bodas, matatu and special hires. The fastest and most dangerous method is the boda-boda: motorcycles that you see all over the city. You won't be in Kampala long before being propositioned by a boda driver. If you're not interested, a simple 'no' will get them to leave you alone. You can get most anywhere on the back of one for USh 2000-5000, but make sure to agree on the fare before the ride begins. Boda-bodas are extremely dangerous as their riders will do whatever it takes to get you to your destination quickly. Expect to dart in front of and against traffic and even though crowds of pedestrians when necessary. Boda-boda accidents account for most of the hospital visits and traffic fatalities in Kampala; you have been warned! Boda-bodas got their name from the bicycle taxis that operated at some of the busy border crossing points.
Where to Stay
All of the backpacker hostels in Kampala set prices in US dollars at USh 3750 to one. Kampala is a relatively safe city. It is fairly safe to walk or take matatus around some areas at night, but don't take unnecessary chances. Kampala is not safe to walk around in after dark, especially if you are a white. It is assumed that all whites have money. It is also not safe to drive around, day or night, with your windows down or unlocked. Someone could reach in through the window and take your cell phone right out of your hand or open the door and take your laptop right off your lap. Air pollution is among the worst in the world, so again, keep your windows up, doors locked and set your car button to circulate the air and not take in external air, especially if you are following a diesel powered MV. Boda-boda motorcycle taxis are notoriously dangerous, but are sometimes so convenient it's difficult not to use them.
Money & Budget
Large parts of Uganda are well suited for agriculture and as a result Kampala has some very large and diverse food and agriculture markets. Traditional handmade tools, arts and crafts are also big. However there are also several large western style malls and supermarkets (e.g. Shoprite from South Africa, Carrefour from France. If you're in the market for souvenirs, check out the Exposure Africa Crafts Village on Buganda Road or the slightly larger Uganda Arts & Crafts Village behind the National Theatre, near the Garden City complex. Also on Buganda Road across the street from the craft market you find a number of tailors if you are looking to have clothes sewn. And if you're tired from shopping the (upscale) cafe 1000 Cups of Coffee is a relaxing Mzungu hangout.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Kampala is a relatively safe city. It is fairly safe to walk or take matatus around some areas at night, but don't take unnecessary chances. Kampala is not safe to walk around in after dark, especially if you are a white. It is assumed that all whites have money. It is also not safe to drive around, day or night, with your windows down or unlocked. Someone could reach in through the window and take your cell phone right out of your hand or open the door and take your laptop right off your lap. Air pollution is among the worst in the world, so again, keep your windows up, doors locked and set your car button to circulate the air and not take in external air, especially if you are following a diesel powered MV. Boda-boda motorcycle taxis are notoriously dangerous, but are sometimes so convenient it's difficult not to use them. If you do decide to use them regularly consider buying a helmet (they are not provided by the driver).
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Kampala
Kampala sights; Kingdom Kampala, Oasis Mall
Ntinda at SunSet.
Rainbows
A trip to the landlocked country in Africa reveals visual surprises.
Ggaba beach Golden hour.
a group of cars parked in a parking lot
A trip to the landlocked country in Africa reveals visual surprises.
A trip to the landlocked country in Africa reveals visual surprises.
Traffic jam
A trip to the landlocked country in Africa reveals visual surprises.
Kampala sights; Kingdom Kampala, Oasis Mall
Ntinda at SunSet.
Rainbows